S05 Vendor Questions-2-AE and VA Answers.pdf

Request for Information #2 Invitation for Bid 36C25723B0064

Project 549-20-132 Question Reference Answer

What is the duration that the owner will allow for the AHU to be offline? The specifications indicate the work hours and not the allowable time for service interruptions to the air handlers. 23 00 00

AHU can be offline, but will require coordination with the VA

Are there certain manufacturers required on this project due to existing systems and facilies?

SF-1442

Yes. Refer B1/A-001. Swisslog is the pneumatic tube mfr., Teledynamics, LLC is the tlelcart system mfr., Guldmann, Inc. is the overhead patient lift system mfr., Southwest Solutions Group is the basis of design for the storage systems in Clothing Room 1A-200.

As a result of the effect of COVID-19 throughout the U.S., and the resulting Federal, State and local governments’ responses / requirements of safe distancing and potential advocations of working remotely and/or complete organization closures, please advise how the Government intends to address delays resulting there as it pertains to the current solicitation schedule for this and all future projects. SF-1442

The Awardee can request period of performance extenions due to supply chain delays.

4 Can the contractor use the existing restroom facilities in the work area or adjacent ones nearby? SF-1442 Yes, but will require coodination with the VA for detrmine the one sthat will be used.

Can the existing service and/or public elevators be used for construction activities? Are there any restrictions or time constraints? SF-1442

Elevators cannot be used for construction activities

Can the superintendent have dual role such as SSHO? Is an onsite Quality Control staff member required in addition to a dual role superintendent? SF-1442 Yes. No additional staff member required.

Can you confirm that bids are to be submitted at 10:00AM CST and opened at 1:00PM is correct?

And that bids can be submitted via email and/or in person? SF-1442

Correct. Bids will be due at 10:00 AM CST and a virtual opening will be offered at 1:00 PM CST that same day. I am working virtually so bids shall be submitted via email.

Can you confirm that the owner will be contracting directly with a third-party commissioning agent for commissioning the project and that the Contractor is only to include participation/coordination with the Commissioning Agent? SF-1442

VA to confirm 3rd party commisioning agent.

VA to confirm what systems are to be commissioned.

9 For planning the preliminary project schedule, can you please provide an anticipated award date? SF-1442

Anticipated award date is 1 week after bids are due. However, this solicitaiton is pending funding. Per 1442 pg. 1 blk. 13 d. the Government is requesting 120 days for Government acceptance.

Has the facility Operation & Maintenance team reviewed the Contract Documents for operability to avoid change orders? SF-1442 M&O was included in design review meetings

Has the work area been checked for asbestos, lead based materials and/or other hazardous materials?

Is there a report available? 02 41 00

There are no asbestos. Please see attached asbestos report.

How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for owner and A/E review and respond to RFIs? SF-1442 10 business days.

How many calendar days should be included in the critical-path method schedule for owner and A/E submittal review? SF-1442 10 business days.

14 How many site visits do owner consultants have for MEP and systems coordination with GC? SF-1442 GC to set up construction meetings once under construction.

15 If RFI answers elicit a follow-up question, will an additional RFI submission period be allowed? SF-1442 Yes.

Is AISC (American Iron and Steel Certification) required for the structural steel fabrication and/or erection for this project? Will any substitute certification be acceptable? 05 12 00 Yes. No substitute certifications accepted.

17 Is CAT 6A a requirement for this project instead of CAT 6? 27 00 00 6A.

18 Is this project tax exempt, and will the CO/COR provide the necessary tax exempt certificates SF-1442 This project is tax exempt. Tax exempt certificates will be provided.

Many VA campuses are beginning to address Turbulosis protocols on VA campus projects. Are there any TB required protocols for this campus/project? SF-1442 No TB protocols for this project

Please confirm that the owner will provide fire watch during the period of time that the fire suppression system is not in service. 21 00 00 Contractor provided

Please confirm that the project is to be completed during normal working hours, not nights and weekends. SF-1442

Nights and weekends must be coordinated with the VA

22 What is the approximate duration between issuing the award and issuing the NTP? SF-1442

The estimation is 10 calendar days. A contract kick off meeting must occur and bonds must be provided before the NTP can be issued.

23 Where is the designated contractor area for trash dumspters? SF-1442 Refer construction drawings page 5 24 Where is the designated contractor job site trailers and employee parking? SF-1442 To be coordinated with the VA

25 Where will the designated parking & laydown area be for workers accessing the construction site? SF-1442 Yes

Who is the owner's service provider for the fire alarm system? Can you please provide contract information? 28 13 00 Contract is under GCC, the sub is Firetrol

27 Who is the VA campus Nurse Call / Code Blue provider? 27 52 23 Hillrom Navicare nurse call systems

28 Who is the VA campus/building PACS/Video/ Security system vendor / provider? 27 00 00 PACs is Velocity, Video is Avigilon, and IDS is Manitou

29 Will owner require GC’s to develop and submit coordination drawings in Revit? SF-1442 Yes

Will the contractor be authorized to build a temporary office inside the space in lieu of renting an office trailer for the duration of the project? SF-1442 No

Will the Government provide the project RFP 3-D REVIT Design model drawings in it's native file format, for the creation of coordination drawings? How long after award can these Revit drawings be provided? SF-1442

Yes. Wthin two to three weeks

Will the owner accept the use of Procore Project Management software as the primary submittal and data tracking tool for this project? SF-1442 Yes

33 Will the owner provide as-built drawings for the existing structures/work area of the project? SF-1442 Please refer to the Index Drawings attachment.

VA will provide specific As-Builts as requested.

34 Will you provide a copy of the site visit attendance and sign-in sheet in amendment? SF-1442 Yes. It was uploaded to the solicitation via Amendment 4.

35 Who is the VA campus DDC HVAC Controles provider? 23 09 23

The Davis Bacon Wage Rate Determination is dated 4/14/2023. Is this the most current DBA wage rate for the project? Will it be updated, if not current, in amendment? SF-1442

The wage determination included with this solicitation is the current one for DOL. It will be updated at time of award if a new wage determination is issued by DOL.

Who is the VA campus vendor/provider for Ceiling Mounted Patient Lifts? Which manufacturer is the basis of design? 11 73 00

Guldmann is the basis of design for the ceiling mounted patient lifts.

38 Who is the VA campus vendor/provider for pneumatic tube systems? 14 92 00 Refer B1/A-001 in the drawings.

What manufacturer is the basis of design or the VA Campus vendor/provider for the package transfer units? 11 17 36 Teledynamics, LLC. Refer B1/A-001.

Clash detection requirement was mentioned in spec section 11 73 00 for ceiling mounted patient lifts but not referenced as a requirement of the RFP. Is Clash detection with 3D scanning a requirment for the project? If so, will the owner be providing the Revit 3D model drawings to contractor for scanning and clash detection? Clash Detection

GC to provide a clash detection LOD 3 system.

A/E provides the model to the VA.

At site visit, we saw the emergency exit door that is to be used for construction entrance which is also in ER entrance area. Contractor express concern of limitations to be able to only use this exit door area for demo removal, construction entrance, entrance where all materials and equipment of the prjoect will be brought in. Is there another entrance/exit the contractor can utilize for larege equipment and material deliveries, as well as demo debris? A004

Emergency exit door will be the only construction entrance.

This fire emergency exit door has fire detection and exit notification devices. How will this exit be monitored and used during construction related activities throughout the day? Will the devices be disconnected while in use during normal construction time frames? Will the notification devices still be active during construction use? A004

Door willl be disconnected for the duration of the project

43 Can construction debris dumpsters be staged at this exit door entrance noted on drawing A004? A004 Yes

On the reflected ceiling plan demolition drawings there is a note regarding fire sprinkler with two options. Can the existing fire sprinkler/heads be left in place and/or upturned during demo phase and prior to the fire sprinkler modifications? The system will still be operational without the ceilings. IE existing sprinklers are left in place and operational. A107

If ceiling is removed, then the sprinkler heads must be turned up.

5 alternates are listed on A001. The RFP pricing sheet does not list alternates. Can you confirm that there are no alternates to price for this project? A001

There are 5 alternates to be priced for this project per F6/A-001.

46 Who is the VA vendor/Provider for the existing Telecar System? A001 Teledynamics, LLC. Refer B1/A-001.

Prior to each phase, will the owner remove all the equipment and items before work starts? How much time should contractor allow and provide on project shedule for owner to remove equipment and supplies? A001

Yes, VA to remove. Dallas VA Biomed team is working with suppliers to provide the time needed

Note 1 on GC Responsibiity states "THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM A SITE VISIT(S). IN

DOING SO THE CONTRACTOR HAS AGREED THAT THEY HAVE INVESTIGATED THE

EXISTING CONDITIONS TO BE RENOVATED AND COMPARE THEM TO THE WORK TO

BE PERFORMED ACCORDING TO THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS." Contractor takes exception to this note. There was only limited amount of time allowed on the site visit 10/6/23. There is not way to comply with this statment. Can the owner confirm and ackowledge that that existing conditions can not be fully known and/or evaluated in a limited time/site visit on 10/6/23. A001

This note is intended for the selected GC for the project.

49 Can owner provide approved shop drawings of owner supplied equipment? Owner Equipment

Equipment for this project is specified in the Vol.

3 Equipment Manual which cooresponds with drawing sheets QH-108 & QH-109.

50 Has the owner entered into an agreement with owner furnished equipment installed by contractor? Owner Equipment VA is currently working with suppliers

Can the owner provide product data, vendor drawings, approved shop drawings, owners, and vendor contact information for any other Owner furnished equipment contractor is required to install? Owner Equipment Refer Vol. 3 Equipment Manual.

What is estimated delivery date for owner supplied equipment, both contractor installed, and owner installed? Owner Equipment VA is currently working with suppliers

53 Will owner vendors be providing coordination drawings in addition to approved shop drawings? Owner Equipment GC is to coordinate with the VA vendors.

54 Who is the VA Provider for Patient service walls 10 25 13 Refer QH-109 and Vol. 3 Equipment Manual.

Will Med gas certifications for modifications will be needed for renovated/modified/new gas systems? The new gas system lines will be installed separately prior to system tie-in. Isolation valves at existing system shut off, system purged, and tie-ins made to tie-in the new gas line route. Can each Med gas system be isolated at the local area, be modified, tested, and re-certified locally without a need to re-certify the entire building/hospital system each time? 22 00 00

Yes, the Med gas system is to be re-certified. The Med Gas system can be isolated at the local area and should be able to recertify it locally.

Is the existing building structural frame spray fireproofing? It appears that the sructure is concrete frame on structural drawings. Can you confirm exisrting fireproofing? What is existing conditons of any spray fireproofing on structure, type, and ratings? Fireproofing No existing spray-on fire proofing present.

Are there any single/sole source vendors or providors with contracts with VA for this campus we are to utilize for pricing? Sole Source Vendors Yes. Refer response to question #2.

What is floor to ceiling heights? Can you provide as-built drawings of the exsitng building for sructural drawings where heights, types, sizes of beams, columns, and concrete floors are shown by amendment? as-builts

Please refer to the Index Drawings attachment.

VA will provide specific As-Builts as requested.

59 Is there a basement level floor below the level one renovation project? Levels Yes.

Confirming note 6 drawing S101 that contractor is to include up to ten (10) hole patches total per detail C6/S200 in base bid in addition to those shown on demo plans and per note #5. Can you confirm contractor is to include? S101 Yes. Confirmed.

There will be numerous locations where the slab will be core drilled through the pan concrete slab.

Coring into existing rebar is an issue. Can the owner provide existing building structural drawings for location of exisiting rebar during bid or after award for coordination. If no drawings for locating existing rebar, how shall the existing building concrete reinforcement be located? Is location to be provided by the Owner/VA? S102

GC means and methods. Ususally done via x-ray of the slab.

62 Which manufacturer is the basis of design for the ICU sliding doors? 08 32 13 See F5/A-601. Note 2.

63 What will the ICRA level be for this project? Level IV 64 Will a modular containment system be allowed for ICRA barrier/anteroom? Yes

In reference to below photo. Would contractors be allowed to store a small connex/container inside the red lines for a smaller laydown yard closer to the job site?

Yes, It must be aesthetically congruent with the facility façade, may not obstruct mechanical accesses or obstruct pedestrican walkways and obstruct traffic flow. All landscaping (vegetation, irrigation, etc) must be returned to original state or better. Temporary walkway access must be established so as to maintain a clean working environment.

Drawing A-005 shows the phasing plan. However, during the site visit contractors were told that the pathway connecting ED to Radiology needed to remain open. This hallway cannot be completed without being blocked off at some point for a duration of a phase. Will the proposed phase 2 allow the hallway to be demolished in half and placing the other half in phase 3? This will allow for employees to go around completed phase one area while contractors are in phase 2. Yes, with VA approval.

Is this a tax-exempt project? If tax-exempt, will the government be providing a tax-exempt certificate to the Prime Contractor for use by subcontractors and vendors? Yes

Can the Superintendent be shared across multiple projects, or should they be dedicated full-time to this project and this project only?

Contractor to provide a dedicated full time superintendent to this project

Can the Superintendent fulfil multiple roles? If so, can they also fulfil the Quality Control role? What about the SSHO role?

Yes, the superintendent can fulfill the QC and SSHO roles

70 Will the VA provide a spot for the Prime Contractor to set up a temp office? Yes, it will be in the GC staging area.